Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group

Established in 1980 by Ed Dundon, the Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group (DSAG) provides an opportunity for a growing group of superintendents to consult with the Dean, network with other superintendents in California, and recruit aspiring superintendents to join the USC family. DSAG elected Frank Cosca PhD ’80 as its first president in 1991. Today DSAG has approximately 200 members.

Guests mingling at an outdoor evening reception with string lights and cocktail tables

Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group

DSAG Priorities Include

Serving as active and engaged members of the USC Rossier Trojan Family.
Raising funds for the DSAG Endowed Scholarship Fund, which supports current USC Rossier EdD students aspiring to become superintendents.
Advising the dean on a variety of current educational issues.
Sponsoring the annual USC Rossier superintendents’ dinner, the largest gathering of educational leaders affiliated with a California university.
Annually recognizing a USC Rossier alumnus or faculty member who has made significant contributions to K–12 education.

Member Events

DSAG Awards Dinner (January)
Spring DSAG Meeting (March/April/May)
Fall DSAG Meeting (September/October)

View a photo gallery of past DSAG events.

Superintendent Announcements

Owen Crosby EdD ’17, Shasta Union High School District Superintendent
Leticia Bhatia EdD ’08, John Sewett Unified School District Superintendent
Roger Brossmer EdD ’19, Downey Unified School District Superintendent
Patrick Gittisriboongul EdD ’13, Lynwood Unified School District Superintendent
Jennifer Burks EdD ’18, Solana Beach School District Superintendent
Danny Kim EdD ’11, Charter Oak Unified School District Superintendent
Aida Glimme EdD ’25, Orinda Union School District Superintendent
Sonia Llamas EdD ’13, Riverside Unified School District Superintendent
Alfonso Jimenez EdD ’12, Culver City Unified School District Superintendent
Jonathan Blackmore EdD ’19, West Covina Unified School District Superintendent
Lorraine Perez EdD ’11, Santa Ana Unified School District Superintendent
Angela Elizondo Baxter EdD ’17, South Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent
Nadia Hillman EdD ’12, Duarte Unified School District Superintendent
Edd Bond EdD ’12, Templeton Unified School District Superintendent
Zandra Jo Galvan EdD ’25, Salinas Unified School District Superintendent
Christopher Brown EdD ’22, Capistrano Unified School District Superintendent
Julienne Lee EdD ’20, Buena Park School District Superintendent
Constantino Aguilar EdD ’19, Riverbank Unified School District Superintendent
Garry Cameron EdD ’10, Needles Unified School District Superintendent
Amie Carter EdD ’18, Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools

DSAG Executive Committee

Wes Smith EdD ’05, Chair
Gunn Marie Hansen MS ’96, PhD ’00, Co-Chair
Mary McNeil MS ’80, PhD ’96, Fundraising Co-Chair
Andrew Pulver EdD ’11, Fundraising Co-Chair
Steve McLaughlin EdD ’11, Sponsorship Co-Chair
Jennifer Root EdD ’17, Sponsorship Co-Chair
Dave Cash EdD ’08, Scholarship Co-Chair
Roxane Fuentes EdD ’15, Scholarship Co-Chair
Melissa Moore EdD ’14, Women of DSAG Co-Chair
Catherine Kawaguchi EdD ’14, Women of DSAG Co-Chair
Paul Gothold EdD ’17, Member at Large
Monica Oviedo MS ’99, EdD ’04, Member at Large
Raul Ramirez EdD ’14, Member at Large

2026 Vivian Ekchian EdD ’19
2025 Paul Gothold EdD ’17
2024 Wesley I. Smith EdD ’05
2023 Mary McNeil MS ’80, PhD ’96
2022 Margaret Chidester EdD ’95
2021 Gregory Franklin ’83, EdD ’97
2020 David Verdugo EdD ’05
2019 David Cash EdD ’08
2018 John Roach EdD ’88
2017 Maria Ott PhD ’94
2016 Michael Escalante EdD ’02
2015 Pedro Garcia EdD ’83
2014 Jack McLaughlin MS ’65 PhD ’68 and Michael J. McLaughlin PhD ’77
2013 Karen Symms Gallagher
2012 Thomas C. Halvorsen EdD ’80
2011 Steven Fish EdD ’97
2010 Rudy Castruita EdD ’82
2009 Darline Robles PhD ’93
2008 Mike Caston MS ’73 EdD ’80 PhD ’81
2007 Carol Wilson PhD ’80
2006 Robert French ’52 PhD ’69
2005 Stuart Gothold EdD ’74
2004 John Duncan PhD ’70
2003 Robert Ferris PhD ’65
2002 Frank Cosca PhD ’80
2001 John Stallings ’48, PhD ’58
2000 Charles Terrell PhD ’66
1999 Leonard Murdy ’48, MS ’50, PhD ’62

The Women of DSAG is a dynamic community established in 2017 with a focus on fostering support and empowerment among women leaders. The group emerged as a space for women to connect, engage in meaningful discussions, and collectively address the distinctive challenges faced by women in leadership roles.

The Women of DSAG is committed to holding events tailored for female leaders. Through inspirational gatherings featuring current or retired female superintendents, the Women of DSAG provides invaluable guidance and shares stories that inspire and motivate the next generation of women leaders.